our programs

3-Year Direct-Entry Midwifery Program

This program is designed to meet the educational needs of students who come to the Florida School of Traditional Midwifery with no prior midwifery or nursing education. This Direct-Entry Program provides students with the academic and clinical learning experiences required for graduation pursuant to Florida’s Midwifery Practice Act, Florida Administrative Code (FAC) 64B24, and requirements for national certification set by NARM.

The midwifery curriculum is 91 semester credits, totaling 2,505 clock hours of instruction, and is designed to take three years to complete. Students should be aware that the program has a lock-step course schedule for each semester, which means that enrollment each semester is contingent on successful completion of each preceding semester. Therefore, in many cases, students who fail courses may have to withdraw from the program and re-enroll in one year when the courses are taught again.

The clinical requirements for completing the Direct-Entry Midwifery Program are defined by Chapter 467 Florida Statutes, FAC 64B24, NARM, and MEAC, and are subject to change at any time. Please refer to the clinical description section of our catalog for complete clinical requirements. Upon graduation, midwifery students receive a diploma from FSTM and are eligible to sit for the NARM exam. Upon passing the NARM exam, graduates are eligible to become Florida Licensed Midwives (LM) and Certified Professional Midwives (CPM).

Classes are scheduled year-round during the Spring, Summer and Fall semesters, which are 15 weeks in length. Currently, all academic classes are taught on campus, and students gain clinical experience at clinical sites (birth centers, home birth practices and clinics) around the state.

In Year One, midwifery students take the "Foundational Courses," such as Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Healthcare Skills I and II, Microbiology, and Pharmacology, to name a few. During the first year of the program, students can expect to be on campus approximately 2 full days each week.

In Year Two, midwifery students take the "Core Midwifery Courses," such as Antepartum, Intrapartum and Postpartum and spend more time at their clinical sites than in Year One. During the second year of the program, students can expect to be on campus approximately 3 full days every other week.

In Year Three, midwifery students take the "Advanced Midwifery Topics," such as Obstetric Complications, Establishing & Maintaining a Practice and NARM Review. Senior students spend most of their time at their clinical sites and are well on their way to becoming autonomous care providers! During the third year of the program, students can expect to be on campus approximately 1 full day each month.

4-Month Licensure by Endorsement Program

The Licensure by Endorsement Program is designed to prepare maternity care providers (usually midwives) credentialed in other states or other countries for licensure as Florida Licensed Midwives. Coursework is both academic and clinical, with a strong emphasis on the laws and rules that govern practice as a Florida Licensed Midwife. Applicants are required to have their credentials and midwifery education reviewed and approved by the state of Florida and Council of Licensed Midwifery prior to enrolling in the program. Please contact FSTM for more information.

Students completing the program receive a diploma from FSTM, and are prepared to sit for the NARM exam. Upon passing the NARM exam and completing the endorsement program, the graduate may file for licensure as a Florida Licensed Midwife and as a Certified Professional Midwife. The clinical requirements for completing the Florida Licensure by Endorsement Program are defined by Chapter 467 Florida Statutes and FAC 64B24 and meet criteria for CPM certification by NARM. Requirements are subject to change at any time per regulatory agencies. Please refer to the clinical description section of the catalog for complete clinical requirements and click the link below for specific details.